SR motor alternative cooling device and method

Abstract

A system for cooling an electrical machine is disclosed. The electrical machine includes a rotor, a stator, and at least one cooling pathway extending through the stator. During operation of the electrical machine, fluid flows through the pathway and carries away heat generated by the electrical machine.

What is claimed is: 
     
       1. An electrical machine including:
 a rotor; and 
 a stator including: 
 a lamination stack that includes a plurality of laminations aligned coaxially, the lamination stack defining a central bore sized to receive the rotor and defining at least one cooling bore, the lamination stack defining a first end and a second end; 
 a fluid input plate disposed within the lamination stack and spaced apart from the first end and second end; and 
 a cooling fluid positioned in the at least one cooling bore. 
 
     
     
       2. The electrical machine of  claim 1 , further including a plurality of cooling bores spaced radially about the lamination stack. 
     
     
       3. The electrical machine of  claim 1 , wherein the fluid input plate is non-ferromagnetic. 
     
     
       4. The electrical machine of  claim 1 , wherein the fluid input plate includes a fluid input aperture and at least one fluid output aperture. 
     
     
       5. The electrical machine of  claim 4 , wherein the at least one fluid output aperture aligns with the at least one cooling bore to allow fluid flow therebetween. 
     
     
       6. The electrical machine of  claim 1 , wherein the stator includes:
 a plurality of teeth extending into the central bore of the lamination stack; and 
 a plurality of coils wrapped around the plurality of teeth; 
 wherein the at least one cooling bore is disposed between and adjacent to first and second coils of the stator. 
 
     
     
       7. The electrical machine of  claim 1 , wherein the stator includes:
 an end plate having at least one output aperture aligned with the at least one cooling bore. 
 
     
     
       8. The electrical machine of  claim 5 , wherein the end plate includes a facet that directs fluid from the at least one cooling bore onto an adjacent coil. 
     
     
       9. The device of  claim 7 , wherein the body includes a central aperture sized and shaped to receive an electrical motor rotor therein. 
     
     
       10. The device of  claim 7 , further including first and second sides are planar and parallel. 
     
     
       11. The device of  claim 1 , wherein the first end and the second end are aligned in a direction perpendicular to the first and second sides. 
     
     
       12. The device of  claim 7 , wherein the first and second outputs are sized to define a shape that fits between adjacent coils of a motor stator. 
     
     
       13. The device of  claim 7 , further including:
 a third output defined in the first side and fluidly linked to the internal passage way; and 
 a fourth output defined in the second side and fluidly linked to the internal passageway, the third and fourth outputs being aligned in a direction perpendicular to the first and second sides. 
 
     
     
       14. The electrical machine of  claim 7 , wherein the body approximates a ring in shape. 
     
     
       15. The electrical machine of  claim 7 , wherein the portions of the body in which the outputs are formed are non-ferromagnetic. 
     
     
       16. The plate of  claim 14 , further including a second output orifice positioned to align with a fluid conduit of the lamination, and a second facet positioned adjacent the second output orifice to receive fluid from the second output orifice, the second facet including a second facet output, the second facet sized and shaped and located such that fluid exiting the second facet via the second facet output is directed onto a winding of the motor stator. 
     
     
       17. The plate of  claim 15 , wherein the first facet is differently shaped than the first facet. 
     
     
       18. The plate of  claim 15 , wherein the first output orifice is differently sized than the second output orifice. 
     
     
       19. The plate of  claim 14 , wherein the body is non-ferromagnetic. 
     
     
       20. The plate of  claim 14 , wherein the fluid exits the first facet output by overflowing over a lip.